One of the biggest nightmares for homeowners is discovering that their home has a mold problem. Because mold is a major issue, new homeowners should have their potential home tested for mold and current homeowners should always be on the lookout for signs of mold at any time.
Although mold can sometimes be tricky and stay hidden for quite some time, there are a few ways to tell that it's lurking in the walls. If you're a homeowner, and you're not sure how to tell if you have mold in your home, then you'll want to continue reading below.
Below are several key signs that should signal to any homeowner that there could be a mold problem. Grab your notepad and get ready to jot down some notes because you won't want to forget these mold signs!
1. You Don't Feel Well
Mold has some serious side effects on your health. Some health issues caused by mold are trivial while others can lead to death. The seriousness of the matter could depend on a few factors including the amount of mold in the home and the type of mold in the home.
Either way, we think it's safe to say that you don't want any amount or any type of mold in your home. Some common health issues caused by mold in the home are respiratory issues (constant runny nose and sore throat) and fever, skin rashes, and more.
If you notice that you haven't been feeling well lately, it might be time to search for some other signs that the cause is mold.
2. You Smell Odors
Although we don't want to sit inside and soak up all of the not so wonderful smells of mold, the mold having an odor can be beneficial. If you begin to smell a musky odor in your home then this could mean that there's a serious mold problem.
A mold that has grown wide and far enough to put off a strong scent into your home, is also enough to affect your health. However, imagine if the mold had no smell at all. It could continue growing for weeks and months without you ever knowing it was there.
If you smell something musky every time you walk into your home, then take this as a sign that it's time to check for mold before the problem gets even worse.
3. You Have Nose Bleeds
If you grew up having nose bleeds often and you know that this is common for you no matter where you are, then a nose bleed here and there wouldn't be anything to worry about. However, if you're not one to normally have nose bleeds and you're all of a sudden having them, then this could mean mold in the home.
If mold is causing nose bleeds, then the issue, again, is severe. Always check with your doctor first to rule out other possible reasons for the bleeds, but have your home checked for mold as well.
4. There's Been a Recent Flood
If there's been a recent flood or leak of any kind in your home, then you should keep an eye out for signs of mold growth. Moisture is what gives mold the perfect environment to grow. A house that's been flooded or suffered from a leak will be more susceptible to mold.
Even if you checked the flooded areas for mold after the flooding happened and didn't find any signs of it, you still need to check those areas periodically. Even years after a flood happens, mold can begin to grow.
5. You Have Headaches
Having headaches more often is another sign of mold in the home. Just like the nose bleeds, if you don't normally have headaches, but find yourself having them a lot more often, then be on the lookout for mold. You should still speak with your doctor to rule out any other possible causes, but never rule out mold until you've had your home tested.
One clue that'll help you determine if it's your home making you sick is if your headaches only coming while you're inside your home. Each time you get a headache or a nose bleed, take note of where you are.
6. Moisture Builds in Areas
Do you have a few areas around your home where moisture tends to build? If you have high humidity levels in your home, then it can be a breeding ground for mold. The best way to determine if your home has too high of a humidity level is to call in the professionals.
Look in areas such as near windows, behind your washer and dryer, under your sinks, and in the closet where your hot water heater or HVAC unit is. If condensation tends to build in these areas, then mold could also be building.
7. You See the Mold
One of the easiest ways to determine that your home has mold is seeing the mold for yourself. If you do see mold growing with your own eyes, then you need to be wary of the situation. This could mean that the mold problem is severe.
If do you spot mold, be sure to call in the professionals as soon as possible. You don't want to keep yourself or your family in a house that could be causing you harm.
Do You Know How to Tell if You Have Mold?
Even after jotting down some of these signs of mold, it's not always easy knowing how to tell if you have mold in your home. This is where the professionals come into play.
Having a properly certified professional Structural Mold Investigator/industrial Hygienist inspect your home for mold will give you peace of mind.